Written Answers Nos. 717-736
717. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the delivery date, date of use and type of setting they were used of the 500,000 antigen test kits that were delivered to Ireland via the European Union; if any clusters or outbreaks were identified as a result of same being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
718. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the wider use of antigen testing in Ireland to assist in the sustained reopening of the country in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/21]
View answerConsiderable work has been undertaken to date to evaluate the potential use of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) in an Irish context and this will continue on an ongoing basis. In the health sector, the HSE has deployed rapid antigen tests for use for specific indications in the acute hospital setting, and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community setting, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. This includes updating the case definition for SARS-CoV-2 to accept notification of positive results from rapid antigen tests undertaken in the public health system and reporting of such cases to the COVID Care tracker and to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) information system developed to manage the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Ireland.
Operational planning is also underway in the HSE in relation to the piloting of testing using RADTs in education and childcare settings. This includes development of guidance documentation, a training programme and other related templates and resources to support the testing pathway for educational facilities. The antigen assay to use for the pilot has been selected and stakeholder engagement is ongoing. I am also aware that a further rapid testing partnership initiative by a number of universities, supported by partners including the HSE and HIQA, is also being scoped for piloting in the near future.
The HSE’s Antigen Validation Project Team has conducted a validation study of antigen testing in meat processing facilities. A further pilot of rapid antigen testing in this sector is being overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, supported by the HSE. At the request of the HSE Antigen Test Working Group, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was requested to examine the impact on transmission risk and resource requirements of different approaches to serial testing using rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) in meat processing plants. The result of this analysis was published on 30 April 2021. HIQA modelled the impact of different serial testing scenarios using RADTS in these settings both in addition to, and as an alternative to, the current practice of monthly RT-PCR-based serial testing. HIQA found the preferred testing strategy used RADT-based serial testing once weekly with positive antigen tests confirmed by RT-PCR. It should be noted that HIQA has stated that, as the data collected is specific to the environment of meat processing plants, it would be inappropriate to apply the results of this analysis to other settings.
The “Report of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Group” which was chaired at my request by the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Mark Ferguson, and published on 1 April 2021, made a number of recommendations for sectors outside the health sector and these are a matter for the Ministers and Departments with responsibility for the sectors concerned.
719. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason Israel was included in the countries from which travel required mandatory hotel quarantine in spite of its vaccination record and low transmission figure. [23786/21]
View answer839. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the criteria that will be used to adjudicate if a country should remain on the mandatory hotel quarantine list particularly EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 839 together.
States are designated under the Health Act 1947 by the Minister for Health following consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and across Government as necessary.
An Expert Advisory Group on Travel to the CMO (EAGT) was established on 1 March 2021 to develop a method of risk assessing countries and to consider broader issues of travel and COVID-19. The Group has developed an approach to risk assessments in keeping with guidance of the WHO and ECDC and which is aligned to the legislative framework in place for mandatory quarantine. The approach is reviewed on a regular basis and currently recommends prioritisation of mandatory quarantine as follows:
- Countries with prevalence or suspected prevalence of known variants of concern/ variants of interest.
- Countries with a very high 14-day incidence (500/100,000).
- Countries with a high 14-day incidence (greater than 2.5 times Ireland’s 14-day incidence but <500/100,000).
Epidemiological data is reviewed, at a minimum, on a weekly basis. Recommendations for addition to the list of Designated States are made every two weeks, and recommendations for revocation of countries as Designated States are made weekly. The Chief Medical Officer considers these recommendations and in turn makes recommendations to the Minister for Health who forms his own opinion with respect to the designation of individual states.
720. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on e-health by his Department since he became Minister. [23794/21]
View answer721. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on e-health by the HSE since he became Minister. [23795/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 721 together.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department incurs no direct expenditure on eHealth but provide the funding for eHealth via the capital section of the annual service plan to the HSE, who have operational responsibility for delivery of eHealth and ICT solutions and services across the health service. This remit includes the delivery of eHealth programmes and the refreshing of ICT technology and infrastructure (to maintain performance and protect from cyber attack) where it is needed to support patient care, the Sláintecare reform programme and the eHealth strategy.
Since I assumed office as Minister for Health on 27th June 2020, the total ICT capital expenditure by the HSE on eHealth to April 2021 was €99.6 million. Investment in eHealth and ICT proved to be a critical enabler for the health system as it responded to the pandemic during this period. As well as funding eHealth projects and infrastructure refresh, this money funded important work on Covid-specific eHealth projects such as the COVID Care Tracker, the Covid Contact Tracing APP, telehealth consultations, on line referrals for Covid Testing, electronic transfer of prescriptions in the community for all GP surgeries and pharmacies, the Covid data Lake, business intelligence and data analytics capabilities that supported the collection and reporting of Covid statistics.
The continued investment in eHealth and ICT infrastructure will progress the digitisation of health care services to improve patient experience and care pathways and deliver integrated care.
722. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the funding currently allocated to the provision of mental health services to island communities; and the amount that has been spent on same in each of the past five years. [23822/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
723. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his policy on the provision of mental health services to offshore islands. [23823/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
724. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the offshore islands that are currently served by a resident general practice doctor; and the way this essential service is provided to islanders that do not have a resident general practitioner. [23824/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
725. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the offshore islands that are currently served by a resident public health nurse; and the way this essential service is provided to islanders that do not have a resident public health nurse. [23825/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
726. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil gach dochtúir agus altra atá lonnaithe ar oileáin Gaeltachta in ann seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, agus líon na ndochtúir agus na n-altraí ar oileáin Gaeltachta a bhriseadh síos de réir cé acu atá Gaeilge de chumas acu agus cé acu nach bhfuil. [23826/21]
View answerD'iarr mé ar an bhFeidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (HSE) freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta ar an ábhar seo.
727. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the conditions which are needed for weddings restrictions to be relaxed to allow for more than six in attendance; the timeframe for weddings to be able to permit more than six guests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23833/21]
View answer851. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a roadmap for weddings over the next few months in line with the level of vaccinations and proposed number of attendees at weddings. [24352/21]
View answer862. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided to persons getting married in 2021 and that regulations relating to Covid-19 restrictions will remain consistent; if the number of guests permitted at indoor receptions will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24418/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 727, 851 and 862 together.
There has been considerable progress in reducing infection levels since the peak of the wave of infection in late 2020/early 2021 because of the widespread commitment and adherence by the public to the public health measures in place. While there is still a high level of infection nationally, the situation is considered reasonably stable and significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme.
In recognition of the improving situation, the Government announced a roadmap on the 29 April for the gradual lifting of some restrictions over the next two months, with a particular focus on allowing more outdoor activities. A range of measures will be eased in May, with a further easing of measures in June subject to the epidemiological situation at the time.
The announcement includes the following changes to the measures applying to weddings: as of May 10, there can be an increase in the number of guests attending wedding services to 50 which brings this figure in line with the numbers permitted at religious services.
This increase to 50 guests relates to the service (both religious or civil) only. The number of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception should remain at 6 guests for indoor gatherings and 15 guests for outdoor gatherings. From 7 June, subject to the epidemiological situation at the time, it is envisaged that the numbers of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception will increase to 25. The Government has indicated that a further range of activities, including numbers attending indoor and outdoor events, will be considered at the end of June. Information in relation to the Government announcement is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/
In line with the roadmap announced by the Government to gradually lift restrictions, Fáilte Ireland are in the process of updating their operational guidelines and these guidelines will be available online: https://covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/
It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease a range of public health measures, this approach must continue to be cautious, gradual and on a phased basis, with sufficient time between any easing of measures to assess the impact. This will be critical to ensuring the protection of the gains of recent months, the protection of those most vulnerable, and the protection of health and social care, education, and childcare services.
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to continue to avoid the virus spreading and to support the safe reopening of activities over the coming months.
728. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if a county specific proactive strategy is in place or will be applied to address the persistently high Covid-19 numbers in County Kildare; if these numbers are attributable to meat plants, food processing, a building site or other known origin; if so, the precise public health steps taken to date to manage and eliminate such outbreaks in order to prevent further local lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23838/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. This PQ is for the HPSC.
729. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) and the provision of a drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23839/21]
View answerAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
731. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied) regarding partners of expectant mothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23845/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
732. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review the vaccine delay in respect of a person (details supplied) who registered on 1 April 2021 and has still not been contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23846/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
733. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (detailed supplied) in relation to a dementia specific homecare package will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23856/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
734. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccines administered by cohort by county and for each vaccination centre as a percentage of the approximate target population per cohort which each centre is envisaged to service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23857/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
735. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to patients in cohort 7 of the vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
736. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if provisions will be put in place for eye clinic liaison officers in eye clinics nationwide and in particular in the eye clinic of University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23876/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
